Sorry about the first chapter. I know that it seems somewhat fast. By the way, all of this is just added to the original show. What the people say, for example the memory of Uozumi the fist time he and Akagi met. I just change a few things and stuffs. Also, the characters may be very out of characters so please, do bear with me.
If there is correction or displeasure, you can write me. The usual disclaimer.
The Sakuragis' SecretSecret Two: Meet the Antagonist
Author: Lenin
Hanamichi run fast and he reach Uozumi in no time. " Captain, pass!" Koshino yelled out, unable to reach Hanamichi. " Uozumi, be careful of Rukawa and Sakuragi," Taoka warned. " Oh!" Uozumi replied back. He turned left and right and then right again. He didn't notice that Hanamichi was already there. Deftly slapping the ball away from him, he yelled, " Micchy!" then promptly threw the ball.
Mitsui caught it and jump shooting a three-point. Uekusa tried blocking it but he jump to late. Swoosh it went swiftly at the ring, not even touching it. Everyone went wild. Mitsui's friends started their cheering. Ryonan is down by 10 points (I change the scoring to 74-67) and there is only fifty eight seconds left to play. Shohoku's victory is now insured. The crowd went wild, while the Ryonan side was down hearted.
" Shohoku's victory is now at their hands," Maki commented to no one particular. " You did it Hanamichi! You did it! You can relax now," Yuji yelled out with glee. " Iye. He can't. There is still time left and Sendoh can make the shot, the last one," Mito said. " More than ever, this is the time he must be in his full guard. One mistake and everything will be at his hands."
" Hanamichi…"
Hanamichi as if hearing his friend's words, set himself in a guard position. Miyagi slap him in the back saying, " Relax Hanamichi. We have already won the game. There is no way any one of them can score ten points in fifty eight seconds. I doubt Sendoh, Maki or even Rukawa can make that much point."
" He can and he will," Hanamichi told Miyagi. " What?" " The game is not yet finished. I'll end what he started. And I'll win." His tone was dead serious and there was no sign of the usual cheerful and cheery Hanamichi. His face is set in a grim face and now, more than ever, his muscles tense.
Ryonan side…
" They may have won the game, but we can't let them have the last shot," Uozumi told his companion. " Oh! I'll make sure of that," Sendoh agreed, panting out loud. " Ryonan, fight!" Uozumi roared out. Koshino, Uekusa, Sendoh and Fukuda answered him back with their own version of roar. The Ryonan was shock at first, but then they yelled out their cheers and support.
" So, you are planning to take the last shot are you?" Akagi asked. " I admit defeat, but we will have the last say," Uozumi replied back. " I don't think that Sakuragi shares the same opinion," Mitsui informed them, nudging his head at the said name's direction.
Hanamichi is walking towards Sendoh and Rukawa. With a tone so serious that even Rukawa cannot argue, he said, " Switch partners." To every ones surprises, Rukawa didn't say his usual " Do'aho". Instead, he backs down and went to guard Koshino. Hanamichi turned to face Sendoh.
" You're pretty spunky today aren't you? Even you have to admit that Rukawa is the only one that can be my equal," Sendoh said, somewhat jokingly. " You might be right, and I do admit that you are right, but this time, I know that what I am doing is right," Hanamichi answered him back.
Sendoh's eyes widen a fraction from Hanamichi's words, then a smile slowly spread on his face. " I don't know why you suddenly became so serious, but I will make this last shot. This, I promise you."
Sendoh dribbled the ball from his left and then right and back again. He went to the left and then to the right, Hanamichi blocking him all the way. Hanamichi suddenly fling his left arm out in an attempt to steal the ball away, but Sendoh anticipated that and move to the right throwing the ball towards Uekusa. What he didn't anticipated was when Hanamichi caught the ball with unbelievable speed.
Hanamichi dash toward the ring, Sendoh hot on his tail only to be stop by Rukawa, fire burning intensely in his eyes. " Rukawa read Sakuragi's mind," Akagi mumbled to himself. Koshino chased after Hanamichi while Hanamichi passed it to Akagi, who has Uozumi looming over him, threw it to Mitsui.
Mitsui caught it and got ready to shot, but fatigue over took him and his knees give way resulting of him letting the ball go. Fukuda took the opportunity and took possession of the ball, immediately jumping up to throw just to have Hanamichi slap it away into Sendoh's hand. Showing no hesitations, Sendoh jump up and threw the ball, for the third time, but this time, it successfully went inside the ring. The buzzer rang, indicating that the games finally come to a halt.
Hanamichi felt everything is like in slow motion. His feet tough the floor, wobbled and sank down on his knees. The Shohoku team jumps up and down, shouting with glee and uncontainable joy for their victory. The scoreboard score of the Ryonan moved, making it 74-69; the announcer declaring the triumph of the Shohoku High basketball team.
Hanamichi's eyes turned black and blank, his head hanged downwards, eyes seeing nothing. Akagi, Miyagi, Mitsui and Rukawa were cheering and shouting their joys. Wait- Rukawa was just standing beside them, panting hard and observing the oblivious redhead. No one noticed Hanamichi's reaction; no one other than the Gundan, Sendoh, Rukawa and Xea.
Xea clumsily got off the bench and excuse herself as she tried to moved from all the Shohoku's team members jumping up and down. Xea rush towards her onii-chan once getting free from the mob. Her face is painted with worry, her lips and brows in a low frown. She just cannot understand why Hanamichi is sad about their winning the game. It was all confusing to her, until now…
A shadow of a tall, lean man loomed over her, covering her in darkness. She fell down hard on her bottom and quivered with such fright. Her eyes grew big with a very obvious horror within her twin orbs. Xea's mouth opened and closed almost doing a very excellent imitation of a brass fish. The teddy bear that she holds in her arms is squish tightly like there is no tomorrow.
Hanamichi stared down at the floor but he could have stared at Haruko's and still see nothing. He can't think of anything but, " I lost… I lost… I lost…" He feels that he might as well go kill himself after what happened. Nothing woke him from his stupor, even when a super deformed Rukawa went to his side, called him a Do'aho and then started poking him, as if he is testing if Hanamichi is still alive.
Mito and the other are rooted at their seats, their eyes wide and shoulders slumped. They didn't moved, unlike Haruko's and Fujo, who is now currently hopping up and down shouting their heads off. The only one who notices anything wrong with the picture, other than the ones already mention, was the third party of Haruko's gang.
You know, the girl who seems to like to pull her hair in a pigtailed-style and looks more likely to be Akagi's sister than Haruko's (sorry, forgot her name)? She had been watching Mito, Yuji, Takamiya, and Noma from the corners of her eyes ever since Hanamichi started acting strange. Puzzled over the fact that they have been quiet and looked so stress out, even more than the players, had her itching to asks them what was wrong even if she had to forced them in spilling the beans.
But considering that she cannot do that, she just observed them. The minute that man came and reach out towards Xea that was the time all hell broke loose. All four stood up abruptly and shouted in pure shocked, lace with anger and spite, " Ray Jin!'. From a blink of an eye, Hanamichi appeared between the man and Xea, who, by the way, was trembling very hard.
" Get away from her! Better yet, get away from us!" Hanamichi slowly and menacingly said.
The man just smiled at him, exposing a little bit of his pearly white teeth. The man's name is Takuri Ray Jin. A son of a rich billionaire from America who just moved to Japan to take care of some problem. He has long blond hair that reaches almost his waist and tied it in a low ponytail. He's eyes have a remarkable shade of black that makes people stare at it all day. He's not only handsome, but mixed with the beauty of a woman model. He's tall, athletic and slim. He's what most women would call a perfect husband.
" I won fair and square," Ray Jin said in his rich, tenor voice. Hanamichi growled low not able to say anything because Ray Jin is right, but his pride and head-strong will won't allow him to tell Ray Jin that. Not now, not tomorrow, not ever. Mito and the others jumped down from the stadium chair and went over to Hanamichi and Xea. Mito hugged Xea and lifts her up, Xea burying her face at his shoulder.
" May I refresh your memory, Hana-chan-"
" Don't call me Hana-chan!" Hanamichi yelled, a tint of red can be seen adoring his cheeks.
Ray Jin chuckled at him. " As everyone can see, Ryonan lost to Shohoku only by six points. Our deal was, your school would win with ten points leading." By now, the audiences are wandering what was going on. Those who stood up hurried back to their seats. The Kainan and Shoyo went down and are now watching the confrontation in a much clear view. Nobody spoke; all listening to the seven people.
" Xe-chan is now mine," Ray Jin finished. All five narrowed their eyes and their pupils become silted. Xea made a sound almost like whimper and hug Mito more tightly. " She's not yours. She's her own person," Mito told him. " Hana-chan-"
" DON'T CALL ME HANA-CHAN!" Hanamichi interrupted once again.
" Lost the deal, so, Xe-chan comes home with me." He was only greeted back with silence. The Gundan and Hanamichi can't say anything to that. After all, Ray Jin is right. Hanamichi lost and he won fairly. All turned to look at Hanamichi waiting for his answer. As for Hanamichi, he has his gaze down, his fist clutch tightly and his body rigid.
If anyone looks closely at Ray Jin's eyes, they could have notice that his eyes soften. But since none did, they didn't see it.
Stepping an inch closer towards Hanamichi, he tilt his head a little bit to the left. " You know, we can make another deal if you like?" " What kind of deal?" Hanamichi slowly and surely said. He posed to think for a while, then he grin. He reached to cup Hanamichi's chin. The audiences gasp and a lot of the boys' jaws drop wide open " You know, I have always like you."
" WHAT?!" Hanamichi yelled out loud, his cheeks blushed seven shade of red and slap the hand away. Taking an inch away from him, Hanamichi stared goofily at Ray Jin. " Of course, I have always wanted Xe-chan to lived with me. But I also wanted you too. So, how about this, we'll have a game between us. The first one to reach twenty wins. If I win, I get you and Xe-chan."
Hanamichi's cheeks are still red, but he glared angrily at Ray Jin. " And if I win…" Ray Jin grins back. " I would live the two of you alone. For now." " Hanamichi, you can't agree to that," Yuji demanded. Hanamichi just look at his Gundan, who all has the look of no, then turn to look at Ray Jin. He stared hard at Ray Jin for several minutes, then answered, " I accept."
" Nii-chan, IYE!" Xea screamed, tugging Mito's arm from her and run to hug his brother. " We'll start thirty minutes from now," Ray Jin told Hanamichi. He pause to look at Xea and Xea just look at him fearfully. There was a trace of sadness in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came. Turning away from them, he went towards the judge to talk.
" Onii-chan, listen to Mito-nii-chan and don't accept it. I don't want for you to sacrifice yourself," Xea desperately said. Hanamichi smiled sadly at Xea and kneel down. " Listen to me. I don't care even if I have to give my life to save you, I will. I live my life and you have yet to live yours. Beside, let's look at this, this way. Win or lose, we can be together. And that what's matter the most for me. Do you understand?"
Xea bit her lip and look at Hanamichi's honey brown eyes full of love and warmth. Hesitating a little, she looked at Mito, Yuji, Takamiya and Noma. The four look back at her and smile. With confidence, she nodded her head vigorously and smiled weakly. " So, what are we waiting for. Get your butt over to your teammates and asks them to teach you what ever you can learn for the last thirty minutes," Mito told Hanamichi slapping him at the back.
Hanamichi stood up and smile gratefully at them. He went toward his bizarre and confuses teammates. the stadium grew noisy as the people talk about what just have happen.
" Mito-nii-chan, Yuji-nii-chan, Toma-nii-chan, Taka-nii-chan, can I help in any way?" Xea asks looking up to them. " Well, you could brew that drink you always gives us after a fight. You know, the one that somehow gives us energy," Noma told her. " Do you think you can do that?" Takamiya asks her. " Hai!" she answers enthusiastically. " We'll go get the ingredients. Be right back in a flash." The three, Mito not included run off outside the stadium.
" Now, I have one task that I want you to do. Do you want to hear it?" Mito told Xea, his voice uncertain. She nodded slowly, kind of dreading what Mito has to say. " I want you to do go up to the Ryonans and ask to borrow a uniform and water for Ray Jin no baka and give it to him. He may be our enemy, but we have to fight fairly. So, how about it?"
Xea paled and was about to say no, but she stop and said, " Hai. I will Mito-nii-chan." Mito smiled at her and pushes her towards the Ryonan bench. Xea staggered a little but she continue towards the Ryonans. The Ryonans' back are all turned away from her, so Xea had to hold on to someone's shorts and tug it to get one of their attentions. The shorts she happened to tug were Sendoh's.
Sendoh turned around and look down, surprise to find a fidgeting little girl. Everyone, only the Ryonans, turned to look at Xea who looks a little pale. " Your Sakuragi's little sister aren't you?" Sendoh kindly asks. She timidly nodded her head and lift Tedy, her teddy bear, a little higher, hiding her red cheeks.
Sendoh kneel down and look at Xea. " What do you need? Can I be of some assistance?" It is obvious to anyone that Sendoh took a liking for the little girl. Xea didn't answer for a while, as if afraid that they would laugh at her. But they all smiled at her warmly, even Coach Taoka. Getting her courage up, she spoke in her cute little voice.
" Ano… Mito-nii-chan wanted me to borrow a uniform and a water bottle to lend to ( her voice wavered a little) Ray Jin-san. Mito-nii-chan said that even if he is a bad person, we have to give him a fair game." " Well, that friend of Sakuragi is right," Taoka, said. Everyone looked at him. " What?!" he asks a pumping nerve pop out of his head at the bewildered face of his members.
" Nandemonaiyo. Alright then. That guy looks like my same height, so here, you can take my extra shirt and my water bottle as well," Sendoh offered, getting his uniform. He presented it to Xea while she just look at it. Nearby Fujima and the rest of the Shoyo was standing there, looking like they want to asks question about the confrontation. " Chotto matte gudasai," Xea told Sendoh and run to Fujima.
" Ano… can you please hold Tedy for a while? He doesn't like Ray Jin-san, but he likes you. Please?" Xea asks Fujima lifting Tedy up towards him. Fujima was startled at first, but then smiled his pretty face lightening up. " Sure, no problem. I'll take acre of him for you, while you go and help your brother." He gingerly took the bear and patted Xea's head encouragingly. Xea smiled up to him and turn to leave.
Mito saw what Xea did and went over to Fujima and the rest of the Shoyo. " That's Xe-chan's way of saying that she likes you and scared of that bastard," Mito informed him.
" Arigato gozimas su," Xea whispered to Sendoh somewhat distracted at balancing the uniform and water bottle over her thin arms and small hands. " No problem. Um… are you sure that you'll be alright?" Sendoh worriedly asks her. He wasn't blind. He saw how Xea reacted to Ray Jin. she wasn't scared of the said guy, she was terrified. Not wanting anybody to worry she smiled and said yes, although her eyes have fear in them. Walking slowly, she headed towards Ray Jin, who was exercising; he's back facing them.
Getting close enough to him, as Xea would dare, she called out Ray Jin's name, her voice shook. " Ray Jin-san? Ahhhh… one of the Ryonan players agreed to lend you his uniform and water bottle."
Ray Jin stop and kind of whirled around to face Xea. His handsome faces is twisted to that of a surprise one. Slowly, he smiled and took the things from Xea. Xea hurriedly left, but stop when he called her back. " You know, I have a hard time braiding my hair just like yours. And I need to do that because my hair might get in the way will we play. You won't mind braiding it for me, would you?" Ray Jin asks tenderly.
Xea wanted to decline, but she hasn't been corrupted yet like those people who don't want to play fairly. " No," Xea softly answered and went closer to him.
Meanwhile, back at the Shohoku's bench…
" Sakuragi Hanamichi! Kindly explain what just have happen a few minutes back?" Ayako demanded. " Yeah, red monkey. What all this about him wanting you?" Kiyota also demanded popping out of nowhere. Everybody sweatdrop, Hanamichi raised one crimson eyebrow and flatly questions him. " Who invited you?"
" Why you…" Kiyota trailed off, receiving a punch in the head by Maki. The Kainan gathered and mingled with the Shohoku's. Everyone turned back and stared at Hanamichi waiting for an answer to Ayako's question, everybody, even Rukawa. Yes, Rukawa the all time silent king, with the 'I don't care' attitude.
" I can't explain now, but I promise I will later if I win. Right now, I have only thirty minutes to sharpen my skills," Hanamichi stared obviously frustrated at the events. " And I need all of your help. Mitsui, Jin, can the two of you teach me how to shoot three-points?" " What?! Are you crazy?! You can't learn to shoot like me in less than thirty minutes!" Mitsui exclaimed, noting that Hanamichi called him Mitsui and not Micchy. Jin chooses to say silent, but he too shared the same opinion as Mitsui.
" I am not asking for you to teach me how to shoot like you. I'm asking you to teach me how. I don't have to master it now, I just need to know the proper form and how to hold it. So, will you teach me?" Hanamichi has that look. You know, the puppy dogface that the girls would simply adore if Hanamichi did it in front of them. Ayako is affected by it and it didn't went pass the sharp eye of both Jin and Mitsui that she tighten her hold on her paper fan.
They weren't idiots not to know that they'll receive more than pain if they decline Hanamichi. Besides, there wasn't anything wrong with it. Looking at each other for a fracture of a second, the two nodded. Hanamichi's worried face is replace by a look of happiness. Looking at them gratefully, he took a ball and together, they went near the three-point line to teach him. The rest followed not far back to give encouragement, or in Kiyota and Rukawa's case, give comments.
Thirty minutes seems to fly soon and swift. Before anybody knows it, it was time for Hanamichi and Ray Jin's match. " We tried our best Sakuragi but thirty minutes is just not enough," Jin kindly said. " Believe me, I would just give about anything to have thirty minutes of rest," Hanamichi whispered inaudible.
" Nii-chan," Xea weakly called out. Hanamichi kneel down and swipe a sweat from her forehead. " I'm proud that you went over to Ray Jin and gave him a uniform and water bottle. I don't want to lose to him, but I don't want to play unfairly either." Xea just nodded, her face pale from having to stay with the man she most feared. She places a bottle at his hands and gave him a kiss and a hug.
" I don't want to lose you Xe-chan. That's why I'm doing this," Hanamichi thought. Standing up, he drank the contents of the bottle in one gulp and then walks towards the center.
The match now begins…